Maybe you can get a couple of helpful hints by viewing our conversation on the Georgia Public Broadcasting website.

As always, I welcome your comments.

Look no further than the city of Seattle for a lasting example of a successful reinvention. Back in the 20th century, Seattle had become one of the shrinking cities in the USA. With a declining defense industry, a struggling logging industry and a climate that was hardly idealistic, Seattle was a city that was losing population and self esteem. At one point, an outdoor billboard expressed the public sentiment with a bold statement, “Will the last person leaving SEATTLE – Turn out the lights.”

Today, Seattle is a vibrant, hip city that has gone through an incredible “brand repositioning.” Fueled by the likes of Microsoft, Starbucks, Amazon.com, Alaska Air, Nordstrom, music, technology, innovation and environmentally sensitive lifestyles, Seattle is a great example of the power of reinvention.

During these turbulent times when the news is riddled with yet another corporate downsizing, rising gas prices, and declining home values it is easy to feel a bit overwhelmed. NOW, however, is the perfect time to take stock in your own life situation and consider your own personal reinvention.

Are you in a career that is susceptible to a future downsizing or have you already been the victim of such a restructure? Do you have a bona fide plan for your future? How well are you differentiated in today’s marketplace?

These are just a few questions, everyone from the CEO to a front line worker should be asking themselves before it becomes a reality. This turbulent economy represents tremendous potential for those individuals who are playing to their strengths and true to their inner essence. But everyone should have a personal plan to stand out in the crowd by differentiating themselves with unique skills and capabilities.

10 Tips for Personal Differentiation:

1. Embrace and Accept Change . . . Do Not Fight Reality

2. Be Able to Describe What Makes You Different, Better and Special Compared With Others In A Sentence

3. Learn New and Relevant Skills All The Time

4. Know What You Like To Do and What You Do Not Like To Do

5. Meet New People In Different Areas All The Time

6. Volunteer For Interesting Assignments

7. Take Intelligent Risks

8. Establish and Deliver Your “Brand You Promise”

9. Look For Unfilled Needs That You Can Fulfill

10. Have a Positive Attitude and An Optimistic Mindset

Today is a great day to examine how well you are prepared to win in this turbulent economy. While the prospect of change and uncertainty can be very troubling, taking proactive control of your future is very empowering and quite liberating.

After all if Seattle can reinvent, certainly you can do the same.

Manage Brand You, now and forever.

With my new book, Managing Brand YOU, about to hit the shelves, I figured it to be the opportune time to brush up on the digital side of my brand. So here we go…

Please check out the site to learn about brand Jerry, add the RSS feed, watch some videos, or sign up to get a copy of the Managing Brand YOU workbook to learn how you can start applying the 7-step process to develop your personal brand today!

I look forward to discussing marketing, branding, and managing customer relationships as well as sharing stories and lessons of my years in the field with each of you.

So take a look around and let me know what you think!